Ch. Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 37 Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 37

Chapter S 

I looked away and gently pulled my arm free. 

“Yeah. Eighteen years.” 

I took a breath. 

“You used to say I ignored you after I got with Cade. You’d always ask me if our friendship meant less to me than some 

guy.” 

“Well, I’m asking you the same thing now.” 

“Did eighteen years of friendship mean less to you than a man?” 

She couldn’t speak through the tears. 

Cade stepped forward again, reaching for me. 

I stepped back. 

“Cade. Anything else you want to add?” 

He opened his mouth. Then lowered his head. Said nothing. 

I turned and walked off the stage. 

Through the rows of seats. Past all those complicated stares. Toward the exit. 

Behind me, Cade’s voice. 

“Maya!” 

This time, I didn’t look back. 

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Chapter 6 

Chapter 6 

By the time Cade caught up. I was already in the lobby. 

He grabbed my wrist. Hard. His knuckles were white. 

I stumbled. Turned around. 

His eyes were red. 

“Maya, just listen-” 

His voice was shaking. 

“Nothing happened between us, I swear. I just got confused for a second… I love you. I’ve always loved you…” 

“She came on to me. She kept pushing and I didn’t know how to-” 

He was talking faster and faster, like he was afraid I’d leave. 

“I know I messed up, but you can’t just throw away everything we had these past few years-” 

“You done?” 

He stopped. 

“I don’t want to hear your excuses. You still haven’t said one honest thing. So don’t bother.” 

His face went stiff. 

“No, that’s not-Maya, just let me finish-” 

“I admit I screwed up at first. I wasn’t strong enough, I let her pull me in! But I regretted it. I really did!” 

“You remember that stretch where I was traveling all the time?” 

“When I asked to transfer to the satellite office?” 

“I was avoiding her. I deleted her on everything, blocked her number. I was trying to cut it off for good!” 

I suddenly remembered.